A Twenty Something Takes on the World

Dirty Laundry

2009-12-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

Don't be fooled. As I've recently discovered, men gossip like sorority girls.

So annoying.

A 20 Something Takes on Law School

2009-11-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

I've started another blog, or bLAWg. I know what you're thinking, I haven't done such a good job at keep up with this one lately but that's mostly due to school. So at this point I feel like I have more to write on that subject. (Click on the picture above to go to my bLAWg)

Free not! I will post my grandest blog to date during Xmas break - A 20 Something's Guide to a Weekend in Paris

When will we get the chance to be just friends?

2009-11-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest, the whole let's just be friends thing post break up NEVER works. I know we all say we're going to try it but more often than not one side, either the relationship ender or endee, still has a bone to pick and it ends up making things worse than if you had just gone your seperate ways. Or at the very least, eventually some one's feelings get hurt because although you say you're friends the relationship is far to sensitive to stand up to the trials and tribulations of a normal friendship.

I know you think that you guys are different and you can make it work but you're not and you can't. You're the example of the rule, not the exception. So just don't bother. Save your time and energy and direct it towards something or someone that actually deserves you.

Donut Run

2009-10-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Round Rock Donuts - Round Rock, TX
106 W. Liberty

Tucked away in historic downtown Round Rock is a small donut shop that packs a big punch. I had heard for years about the awesomeness that is Round Rock Donuts but never made the effort to mozy on out to Round Rock to try it for myself. One brisk Saturday morning I decided to finally do so.

The building was very easy to find, parking on the other hand... not so much. After playing with the idea of squeezing my way into the somewhat long drive thru line I did one more loop around the block and snagged the spot of a couple that I could only imagine was delightfully full of donuts and heading home. After parking I made my way over to the line that was literally out the door. Given the choice and assuming you know exactly what you want to order, I would say take advantage of the drive thru lane. I watched 2 dozen cars full of screaming, sugar deprived children and hung over adults (not necessarily in the same vehicle) pass before I even got to the part of the line that was inside.

My total wait was about 45 minutes to an hour but the way those handmade donuts melted in my mouth made it all worth it. My companion and I split a dozen donut holes, 2 Round Rock Donuts and 2 kolaches (the bakery also has , among other things, chocolate RR Donuts, and various flavors of traditional cake donuts). The donuts and donut holes were amazing, the kolaches however left something to be desired. The bread was fresh, light and utterly perfect, the bread to meat ratio though was sub par for sure (imagine one cocktail wienie hidden in 2 dinner rolls). The price of everything at Round Rock Donuts was more than fair in my opinion ($5.50 for a dozen donuts, $1.50 for a dozen donut holes). The bakery also makes cakes, pies, and other desserts but I was on a mission to try the donuts, plus it was 10 AM.

The seating at Round Rock Donuts is a little sparse. So, if you are like me and don't live just down the street, I recommend using just a little bit of self control and move a few blocks to a table at Round Rock Memorial Park.

Pros: Price, Taste, Handmade melt in your mouth donuts
Cons: Parking, Wait, Meat to bread ratio in kolaches, hours of operation are not friendly to extreme non-morning people
Bottom line: Make a donut run one weekend or before your next business meeting to grab a Texas sized donut (a dozen donuts in one) or a dozen regular sized donuts.

Thought of the Day 10/19

2009-10-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Women over the age of 30 should not wear their hair in pigtails (outside the bedroom).

A 20 Something Takes on a Philly Cheese Steak Challenge

2009-10-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Geno's v. Pat's

South Philly Steak Down!

In a town where you can throw a rock and hit several decent cheese steak places, 2 titans tower above the rest: Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks.

Separated by a mere city block the smell from these 2 stands travels for miles. At any given time of day there is a line at both places that wraps around the building. Don't let that worry you, it moves pretty fast because of the unique and rather strict way of ordering. You start by ordering the quantity of cheese steaks you want, then your choice of 3 cheeses (Wiz , Provolone, American), then "with" or "without" (onions that is). Drinks and fries are ordered at a second window and ketchup, peppers, and anything else you might want to add to your cheese steak can be found at the condiments station. Anyone who stalls too long, or doesn't know how to order is sent to the end of the line to try again. So be prepared.

Now the big question: which is better? While it's mostly a matter of personal taste I found things I liked at both establishments.

Geno's had more tender meat, thinner, less processed (if that's even possible), better tasting Wiz, and both Pepsi and Coca Cola products.

Pat's had fresher, tastier bread and perfectly seasoned french fries.

Bottom Line: Both are open 24 hours a day, so if you find yourself tiring of historical sightseeing, make your way to South Philly and do your own Cheese Steak Challenge!

Bank of America Sucks at Life!

2009-10-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

That is all.

The guy wearing the helmet is kinda cute!

2009-09-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

The Spazmatics - TX

Eight words that I would have bet money would never come out of my mouth while standing in a dark, crowded, night club. But sure enough, one Thursday night at Sammy's in downtown Houston I found myself saying just that.

The Spazmatics are a rockin 80's cover band, covered from head to toe in what can only be described as pure 1980's nerdiness. They played three sets of quintessential 80's pop classics, everything from Girls Just Want to Have Fun to 99 Luftballoons, all while performing perfectly planned choreography. The energy in the room is pure 80's cheesetasticness and will have you doing the Carlton dance in no time.

Currently, the guys are playing every Thursday night at Sammy's on Main. Although paying a cover ($10 in this case) to get in anywhere goes against everything I stand for I folded just this once, and I'm glad that I did. I highly recommend valeting, parking around there can be difficult to say the least. Sammy's is rather small as far as night clubs go, so expect to be packed in like hot, sweaty sardines until after the first set but people will start to filter out after that.

Pros: Top notch entertainment, good time, 80's music
Cons: Parking, cover, cramped, no drink specials

Bottom Line: Grab your friends, geek out on brat pack movies and chocolate Yoo-hoo, and check these guys out. Totally outrageous!

Thought of the Day 08/09

2009-08-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Grown men should not drink frappuccinos.

Anatomy of a Break Up

2009-08-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

The way I see it there are at least 4 stages to every break up.

1. Denial - This usually occurs in the hours and days immediately following the initial break up. You're probably unsure as to how serious you or the other person was about ending things and put yourself to ease by allowing yourself to think that this too shall pass. You question a lot: Were things really that bad? Am I being over dramatic? Will he/she/it change their mind?

2. Sadness/Depression - All you can think about are the good times you had in your relationship. You are more or less inconsolable and you check your phone, email, Facebook, etc. 200+ times a day hoping for some type of communication from your former significant other.

3. Anger - At some point a switch in your head gets flicked and suddenly all you can think about are all the bad times in your relationship. You have such immense anger and hatred towards your former lover that it keeps you up at night. You'll also probably be hating yourself for allowing things to go on for as long as they did. If you're still communicating with your ex this is the time you will start to get into stupid little fights that escalate into something huge and unnecessary.

4. Acceptance - One day you wake up and things just seem to suck less. You understand and accept that your relationship has ended and that it is for the best. You realize that there is no point in fighting anymore because it's not going to change the situation, the people you two are, or anything at all.

St. Arnold - Patron Saint of Brewers

2009-08-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

Saint Arnold Brewery Tour - Houston, TX

2522 Fairway Park Drive

Drive down Fairway Park Drive and you would probably never guess that there was a microbrewery tucked away in this industrial neighborhood, but there is. In fact, St. Arnold's Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Houston and every Saturday at 1:00 pm they offer a brewery tour. Well, it's less of a tour per say and more of a 20 min informational session followed by 1 hour and 40 mins of drinking.

The warehouse is completely opened up, which is a good thing because there is no AC/heating (sometime this fall the brewery is moving to a climate controlled warehouse just north of downtown). It costs $5 to get in and that includes a 6-8 oz. souvenir glass and 4 drink tokens. Tip: if you have a large St. Arnold's glass be sure to bring it, because they will fill that, regardless of how big it is. Get there early to score a table and feel free to bring a picnic. The tour, which is just an employee standing on a ladder with a microphone regurgitating information while some people listen and most people get in line for beer, starts @ 1. The 4 bars open as soon as the tour ends and the beer drinking free for all begins. Oh and don't think you'll be sly by waiting to get there around the time the tour ends because drink tokens are only given out until 1:15. Don't let the crowd/lines deter you; by 2:00 the warehouse really starts to thin out.

Pros: Price, Good Beer, Great Place to Socialize, Free Parking, BYOF (Bring Your Own Food)

Cons: No A/C, crowded at first

Bottom Line: A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends.

Quack Quack

2009-08-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Austin Duck Adventures - Austin, TX

If you work in downtown Austin, or even frequent the area, you have undoubtedly seen the Austin Duck Adventures mobile maneuvering it's way around town. The people on board always look like they are having a good time and if you get caught at a red light next to them you just might get quacked at. I had always wanted to take the tour but the $25.99 price tag just seemed a little too much to me. Fast forward to a late July morning when my mom was in town and offering to pay and I started whistling a different tune.

The 75 minute tour takes you around downtown, by the capital, out to Old West, into Lake Austin and back towards downtown. The tour guide was a little cheesy but funny nonetheless and full of interesting information (like the story behind the statue of the woman lighting a cannon on Congress). The coolest part was most definitely driving straight into Lake Austin at 15 miles an hour and trekking around for a bit.

Pros: Fun, Great Tour Guide, Informative, Duck Noise Makers

Cons: Pricey, No A/C

Bottom Line: If you have the money, it's well worth it.

A Leopard's Spots Never Change

2009-08-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Relationship Advice #1

If your significant other has a less than favorable quality or characteristic, you need to head for the hills or learn to live with it. People don't change.

Mean Eyed Cat

2009-07-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

Mean Eyed Cat - Austin, TX
1621 W. 5th St

A great, little, Johnny Cash themed bar tucked between brand new, shiny, corporate monstrosities. I was worried for this bar when those 2 buildings started going up over a year ago but so far it seems as though the Mean Eyed Cat has survived.

The Mean Eyed Cat is a cool little joint that is covered wall to wall, inside and out, with Johnny Cash art and memorabilia. There is always something new on the walls each time you go in. The crowd is a motley crew of laid back people of all ages who are just looking for a cold beer and good tunes. The jukebox plays everything from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Journey and of course the man in black himself. Although, I have never been there for it, I know they do occasionally have live bands on the patio. I've always seen the same bartender there (I'm ashamed I can not remember his name at the moment) and he is a very cool, funny, easy to talk to, charismatic guy.

The only issue I take with the Mean Eyed Cat is that they only serve beer and wine. The more I think about it that definitely fits their whole scene, but I'm just not much of a beer drinking gal. Also, almost all of their bar food (they only have about 7 things on the menu) is very spicy and again I'm not much for spicy foods.

One final note, the exterior may look a little rough and the large amount of bikes that sometimes add up in the parking lot may deter you but I assure you this is not a combative, aggressive, rough and tumble type of place.

Pros: Good music, Great wall art, Cool bartender, Location, relaxed atmosphere, mixed group of people
Cons: Only serve beer and wine, spicy and overpriced bar food, not a huge selection of beer

Bottom line: A chill place you would take your dad.

Cuatros

2009-07-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Cuatros - Austin, TX
1004 24th St.

Cuatros is a great place to grab a beer and watch the game (on their ridiculous Wall O TVs) with the guys, or meet the girls for happy hour after a grueling day at work. It's a very relaxed and fun place; the majority of the restaurant is a patio (covered and uncovered) They are very dog friendly, bringing your pup a water bowl and Milkbone on arrival (the owner, Cuarto, is usually there with his dog, Cinco). The staff is really friendly and their happy hour is pretty much unbeatable (7pm - close M-Th, 3pm - close Friday, and all day Sunday). The drinks are tasty, strong and I guarantee they'll have something you're in the mood for. Unfortunately, the food is not so good. You want the food to be good, you hope it's good (who doesn't get the munchies while drinking?) but it always comes out really bland and over priced. Also, parking is usually a nightmare on big game days.

Pros: Drinks, Happy Hour, Staff, Environment, Dog Friendly
Cons: Food, Food Prices, Parking

Bottom Line: Great place for drinks and game watching but eat before you come.

Transformers 2

2009-07-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

Yup, I do movies too. :-)

I didn't go out of my way to see the first Transformers. One of my brothers got it for Christmas the year it came out and we ended up watching while in a turkey induced food coma. I thought it was a tad long but all in all pretty good. So, I had no intention of going out of my way to see the second one, but one 100+ degree, lazy, Sunday afternoon in late June, found me at a theater near me watching it.

It was entirely too long, for starters. There was a lot that I thought could be trimmed off and saved for DVD extras (I'm told that the verison in IMAX is even 20 minutes longer). Second, it tried to continue a love story between two people who really don't have any chemistry between them. Not to mention the majority of that love story is Mikela (Megan Fox) asking, no, more like telling, Sam (Shia LaBeouf) to tell her that he loves her. It gets annoying pretty quick. The rest is very over the top and cheesy, and not a lot is explained (like how a transformer can turn into a person). Finally, the music throughout the entire movie seemed like it was the same 3 or 4 Green Day and Linkin Park songs.

The only complement I have for the movie was that the special effects were pretty amazing. Though, I'm sure 10 years from now we'll look back and think it's complete crap (have you watched Independence Day lately?). Also, my boyfriend got all giddy for the fight scenes but most of the time I couldn't tell who was who; it just looked like one large hunk of metal rolling around on screen to me.

Bottom line: Don't waste your money. It's a brain dead action movie. However, if you're really curious as to how it is all you need to do is rent the first one and play all the scenes where Megan Fox is running in slow motion.

Wahoo 4 Wahoo's!

2009-07-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

Wahoo's Fish Taco - Austin, TX
509-A Rio Grande St.

If you couldn't already guess I love this place. It has a very relaxed, laid-back, beachy feel to it. The staff is really friendly. I highly recommend the salsa and guac. Everything is amazingly fresh and delicious. Contrary to what the name implies they have more than just fish tacos. I prefer the Kalua Pig Bowl sans beans. Also they have a pretty good selection of beer, large portions and great prices.

There is only street parking, so during certain hours it could be difficult to find parking.

Pros: Food, Prices, Staff, Covered Patio
Cons: Parking, Not Sure if they're Dog Friendly

Bottom line: Definitely a place you and your friends should try at least once.

El Sol Y La Luna - Over Priced, Over Hyped

2009-07-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

El Sol Y La Luna - Austin, TX
600 E 6th Street (at Red River St.)

I went for lunch last week because I had heard good things and had a gift certificate. First, it was freezing cold in the restaurant. Then you have to pay $3 for chips and salsa. What kind of Mexician restaurant makes you pay for chips and salsa? The queso ($6) isn't much more than just melted velveeta with pico sprinkled on top. The food did come out pretty quick but my enchiladas were room temperature at best and my companion never received one of their sides. Also, we got to witness the owner/manager completely violate the personal space of our server to ask if someone had left a cell phone there earlier in the day.

Pros: Decor, probably a good place for an over priced margarita (if you're into that kind of thing)
Cons: Food, price, parking, freezing

Bottom line: Save your money and go some place better like El Arroyo or Hula Hut.

Plan B 2.0

2009-07-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

So after throwing around the idea for a while I have finally decided to start a blog. This will be less of a pseudo diary type of blog and more of an outlet for me to dispense my opinions, reviews and advice. Just call me the Dear Abby, Roger Ebert, Carrie Bradshaw, and Ruth Reichl of Generation Y. In the only slightly sarcastic words of my father, "why should we [my family and boyfriend] be the only ones who get to hear them?"

So bear with me whilst I try to figure out Blogspot and find my voice.